The ‘Dangerous’ Kermes sings ‘Fearless Baroque’

The German coloratura soprano Simone Kermes has earned herself the formidable reputation of being ‘dangerous’.  In fact, ” a dangerous, no-holds barred singer” says Gramophone magazine. A rare accolade for anyone in the performing arts, let alone one who has a niche in performing Baroque.

Simone Kermes brings her special mix of theatre and electrifying coloratura to Sydney and Melbourne in a series of concerts called Fearless Baroque with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. Artistic Director Paul Dyer agrees. “There is no one like her on the classical music scene. She’s larger than life, unpredictable, pushes the boundaries in style and performance, and is utterly fearless”  he says.

For the ABO, Simone Kermes will sing a range of  works from the Baroque era, including several arias from her international Sony CD release called Dramma. These glittering arias are by Porpora, Pergolesi and Leo. Some are being heard for the first time in concert in Australia.

“Almost all the arias on the CD were written for castrati, mainly for Farinelli or Caffarelli who were superstars in their time,”says Simone. “The title Dramma derives from ‘dramma per la musica’, which is what opera was called in those days. Drama means a great deal for me: expression, depth, fire and passion.”

Also featured in the series is Matt Bruce, Resident Concertmaster  with the ABO who steps out as a soloist to perform the Violin Concerto in in C Major RV 190 by Vivaldi.

Born in Leipzig, Simone Kermes has inherited a musical tradition that oozes the Baroque. The city has an incomparable history of having been home to composers from Telemann to Mendelssohn, the Bach family and Mahler. After her early studies at the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy University of Music and Theatre in her home town, Simone Kermes’ career developed in concert halls and the opera theatres around the world, and on disc.

In opera she has portrayed the Queen of the Night, Fiordiligi, Donna Anna, Rosalinde, Lucia, Gilda and Alcina amongst others in opear theatres and concert halls in New York, Paris, Lisbon, Copenhagen, Moscow, Beijing, Spain and Germany.

Her solo albums have won the Deutsche Schallplattenkritik (2003), the Diapason d`Or, Midem Award, Choc Le Monde de la Musique and Gramophone magazine’s Recording of the Month. In 2011, she was named Female Singer of the Year Echo Klassik for her album Colori d’amore.

The Programme:

Porpora Overture to Agrippina

Porpora Aria Vedrà turbato il mare from Mitridate

Vivaldi Violin Concerto in C Major RV 190

Porpora Aria Alto Giove from Polifemo

Porpora Aria Empi, se mai disciolgo”from Germanico in Germania

Leo Aria Son qual nave from Zenobia in Palmira

Albinoni Sinfonia in g minor

Pergolesi Aria Sul mio cor from Adriano in Siria

Pergolesi Overture to Adriano in Siria

Porpora Aria Se doppo ria procella from Germanico in Germania

Tickets: www.cityrecitalhall.com or call (02) 8256 2222 or in person at the Box Office, 2 Angel Place, Sydney

Or Brandenburg (02) 9328 7581 or www.brandenburg.com.au

Tickets range from $65 to $154 (Concessions/Under 30 available). Booking fees apply.